November 23, 2008

Palatine torus in Anatolia

HOMO - Journal of Comparative Human Biology doi: 10.1016/j.jchb.2008.06.005

Why did the frequency of palatine torus increase in the ancient Anatolian populations?

S. Eroğluand Y.S. Erdal

Abstract

The frequency of the palatine torus varies in various populations from different regions of the world. In this study, the change of frequency of palatine torus is examined using 387 skulls from 12 different ancient Anatolian populations in various periods ranging from the Early Bronze Age to the first quarter of the 20th century.

While the frequency of palatine torus is 45% in the Early Bronze Age, this ratio steadily increases to 87% in the Ottoman Period and finally declines to 40% during the recent period. It was determined that the increase in the frequency of the palatine torus is statistically significant across different periods from the Early Bronze Age until the 20th century. Constituting a passageway between Asia and Europe and being located on the crossroads of the most important trade route of the Medieval Period, the Silk Road, Anatolia is known to have been subjected to recurring invasions and migrations since the 11th century A.D. Therefore, it is possible to say that, with the introduction of the Mongoloid influence in Anatolia, genetic flow has had a significant role in the observed increase in the frequency of this trait.

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4 comments:

  1. 45% seems pretty high for the early Bronze Age period, not sure how many Mongoloids could've been roaming around at that point in history.

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  2. More than hereditary, the condition seems to be caused by nutritional status, i e the environment. Central Asian immigrants have not disappeared in modern times, or did they?

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  3. Yeah, I was kinda wondering if I had to change my idea of Kelly Hu-like Ancient Egyptians being far-fetched.

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